Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-11
CROP REPORT.
The Condition Of GrieuItGre
Throughout the Country.
IBy telegraph to the Dispatch. ]

by telegraph TO the Dispatch.I
WASHINGTON, May 10-The report
of the Department of Agriculture for
May relates to the condition of winter
grain, the progress of spring plough
ing, and the proportion of the proposed
cotton area already planted. 1t indi-
Gates decline in the condition of
wheat of points since April LIST, the
general average for the whole country
being Sc, against 80 at the same date i'll
1856, 20 in 1885, and 81 in 1884. The
changes in the condition have not been
uniform throughout the winter-wheat
region, some States showing an in
crease, majority slight decline, and
a few a heavy falling of. The
States of the Middle Atlantic coast
from Pennsylvania to North Carolina
show some improvement, seasonabls
weather having aided the plant in re-
covering more than was expected from
the injury done by the trying season
during February and March. In New
York and New Jersey the amount of
winter killing Was not fully known on
April LIST, and this, with cold, unfavora-
bic weather during the month, has
caused serious reduction of the con-
dition. Drought has reduced the ave-
rage somewhat in the eastern Gulf
States, and has wrought very serious
damage in Texas and Arkansas, lower
ing the condition during the month 10
and 10 points respectively. Favor
able temperature and reasonable rains
have improved the prospect in Ten
nessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky,
the condition being considerably higher
in these States than it has averaged in
May for the past five years. The most
serious reduction of the month is in
Ohio, where there is q falling of of
eight points since April 1st, due to the
continuing evil effects of the alternate
freezing and thawing noted in the last
report and to the cold, dry weather
during the greater part of April, which
gave the injured plant little chance
for recuperation. A favorable sea-
son after April LIST might have in
great measure repaired the injury
done up TO that time, bat continued
unfsvorable conditions have wrought
still further damage, and asmall crop is
now inevitable. Michigan and Indiana
show slight decline, while in Illinois
and in Missouri there is a gain OF one
point. Unfayorable weather in Kansas
and California has caused slight fall
ing of, while in Oregon the prospect
has advanced, it being the only State
in which the condition reaches 100.
The averages of the condition by States
are New York, Sc; Pennsylvania. ~ ;
Maryland, 81; Virginia, 50; North
Carolina, so; Texas, 60; Arkansas,
% ; Tennessee, 96; West Virginia, 80
Kentucky, So; Ohio, II; Michigan,
80; Indiana, 81 (; Illinois, SO ; Missouri,
Sc; Kansas, 81; California, 80; Ore
gon, l0l.
Rye has suffered from the same con-
ditions which have affected wheat. but
on account Of its harder nature the
general average is considerably higher.
standing at 90.8, against 81. g on April
LIST and 95.7 at the same dat. in 1885.
The condition OF barley is low, the
average being 67.S, against 96. 7 in May,
1850, and 81 in 1885.
The season has been more generally
advanced IN all parts Of the country
than usual. spring ploughing being Sc
iionsly behind only on the Atlantic
coast south TO Pennsylvania and ON the
Pacific slope. In these sections il has
been delayed by cold and an excess OF
moisture. Elsewhere the WORK is ahead
OF the average year, the season, espe-
cialiy during April, having been gene
rally favorable, with temperature ebove
normal and rainfall at minimum,
The proportion already done on May
LIST is estimated at 80 per cent of the
whole, while the amount usually com
pleted at that date is about 70 per cent
The proportion OF cotton already
planted amounts 10 more than four
fiitbs Of the proposed area, and is
slightly greater than at The same date |
In any OF the preceding five years, but |